THE world's largest shipping line, Maersk Line, is to introduce a new service - the AE7 - on the Asia-North Europe trade and a new service - the TP16 - on the Transpacific trade starting in April.
The new services will enable Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and Maersk Line to accommodate the incoming volumes from the recently announced slot purchase agreements with Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) and Hamburg Sud. The two carriers will move cargo, but not operate vessels in the 2M network, according to a Maersk Line statement.
"With these exciting product improvements we confirm our commitment to provide extensive direct coverage and best in class transit times to our customers in the Asia-Europe and Transpacific trades," says Silvia Ding, head of trade in Maersk Line.
"Our new slot agreements require that we increase our capacity. With these service improvements we are adding the necessary capacity to match the increase in volumes. Our aim is and continues to be to manage our capacity efficiently and maintain the stability and continuity of our network."
The AE7 will significantly improve Maersk Line's product from East China into Rotterdam in The Netherlands and Hamburg in Germany. For example, the transit time from Shanghai to Rotterdam and Hamburg will improve by three days respectively.
In the Transpacific, the TP16 will provide new opportunities in the Asia - US South Atlantic trade. The transit time from South China to the US South Atlantic will improve by eight days, which will be the fastest in the market.
In addition, Maersk Line will merge the TP8 and TP3 services between Asia and the US West Coast into one service, the TP8.